San Francisco/S.California Riding Suggestions?
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From: Midland, On
San Francisco/S.California Riding Suggestions?
Hello Fellow Travellers. My brother and I are flying from Ontario Canada to San Francisco where we are renting Harleys for a week, beginning of June. Wanted to tap into the local knowledge base about must sees and dos. We are used to riding full days and want to see as much as we can. On our list is riding the US1 highway along the coast both north of San Francisco up to about Fort Bragg and also heading south about as far as San Luis Obispo or so. Other than that, we are wide open for suggestions.
Is there a nice circle route we could incorporate into our plans that will take us inland and through the mountains? I've heard and read a lot about the great motorcycle roads that head inland over the mountains and through canyons. We are wide open for suggestions as well as points of interest that must be seen. Wish we had more than a week, but my bro only has the 1 week for this trip.
Also would appreciate knowing what kind of weather we should plan for early June.
Thanks in advance for the input.
John
2012 Street Glide
Is there a nice circle route we could incorporate into our plans that will take us inland and through the mountains? I've heard and read a lot about the great motorcycle roads that head inland over the mountains and through canyons. We are wide open for suggestions as well as points of interest that must be seen. Wish we had more than a week, but my bro only has the 1 week for this trip.
Also would appreciate knowing what kind of weather we should plan for early June.
Thanks in advance for the input.
John
2012 Street Glide
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The area between San Diego and Palm Springs has got some nice roads. Check out the towns of Idllwyld and Julien. East of L.A. has got some awesome roads in the mountains overlooking the L.A. basin.
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From: Escondido, CA
June can bring the fog into the coastal areas. Usually burns off towards noon or so. You can't go wrong heading south of frisco on the 1. You'll go through Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel. From Carmel to San Luis Obispo you'll have some of the most incredible ocean scenery you could ever ask for. Hearst Castle has a good tour, any of the three are good to do, if you want to stop and take the time to see it.
If you want to head to the mountains, I'm guessing the Sierras you can take the 41 out of Morro Bay and bypass San Luis Obispo. The 41 a nice cruise up to Yosemite. Then you can take the 120 through the east exit of Yosemite and down to the 395. Go north and take the 89 north past Lake Tahoe and up to Mount Shasta. Then down the 5 to the 299 and over to the 1 at Eureka. South on the 1 to Frisco. Have fun.
If you want to head to the mountains, I'm guessing the Sierras you can take the 41 out of Morro Bay and bypass San Luis Obispo. The 41 a nice cruise up to Yosemite. Then you can take the 120 through the east exit of Yosemite and down to the 395. Go north and take the 89 north past Lake Tahoe and up to Mount Shasta. Then down the 5 to the 299 and over to the 1 at Eureka. South on the 1 to Frisco. Have fun.
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Last edited by PistonPuller; Apr 23, 2012 at 10:34 PM.
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From: Escondido, CA
You need to check road conditions for crossing the Sierras. 120 and the 89 are closed during winter months and into late spring. They should be open June but late snows could change that.
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From: SF Bay Area, California
June can bring the fog into the coastal areas. Usually burns off towards noon or so. You can't go wrong heading south of frisco on the 1. You'll go through Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel. From Carmel to San Luis Obispo you'll have some of the most incredible ocean scenery you could ever ask for. Hearst Castle has a good tour, any of the three are good to do, if you want to stop and take the time to see it.
If you want to head to the mountains, I'm guessing the Sierras you can take the 41 out of Morro Bay and bypass San Luis Obispo. The 41 a nice cruise up to Yosemite. Then you can take the 120 through the east exit of Yosemite and down to the 395. Go north and take the 89 north past Lake Tahoe and up to Mount Shasta. Then down the 5 to the 299 and over to the 1 at Eureka. South on the 1 to Frisco. Have fun.
If you want to head to the mountains, I'm guessing the Sierras you can take the 41 out of Morro Bay and bypass San Luis Obispo. The 41 a nice cruise up to Yosemite. Then you can take the 120 through the east exit of Yosemite and down to the 395. Go north and take the 89 north past Lake Tahoe and up to Mount Shasta. Then down the 5 to the 299 and over to the 1 at Eureka. South on the 1 to Frisco. Have fun.
I agree. I'm in the SF Bay Area and these are all really nice rides.
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From: CA
June can bring the fog into the coastal areas. Usually burns off towards noon or so. You can't go wrong heading south of frisco on the 1. You'll go through Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel. From Carmel to San Luis Obispo you'll have some of the most incredible ocean scenery you could ever ask for. Hearst Castle has a good tour, any of the three are good to do, if you want to stop and take the time to see it.
If you want to head to the mountains, I'm guessing the Sierras you can take the 41 out of Morro Bay and bypass San Luis Obispo. The 41 a nice cruise up to Yosemite. Then you can take the 120 through the east exit of Yosemite and down to the 395. Go north and take the 89 north past Lake Tahoe and up to Mount Shasta. Then down the 5 to the 299 and over to the 1 at Eureka. South on the 1 to Frisco. Have fun.
If you want to head to the mountains, I'm guessing the Sierras you can take the 41 out of Morro Bay and bypass San Luis Obispo. The 41 a nice cruise up to Yosemite. Then you can take the 120 through the east exit of Yosemite and down to the 395. Go north and take the 89 north past Lake Tahoe and up to Mount Shasta. Then down the 5 to the 299 and over to the 1 at Eureka. South on the 1 to Frisco. Have fun.
Be prepared for ANY kind of weather on this route. Expect high 90's to 100's inland. Possible thunderstorms, maybe even snow over the mountain passes, and fog on the coast. Or you could have beautiful weather all the way.
Lot of ground to cover in a week though.
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Great route and yes snow can change plans. Was trying to get to Yosemite last year, all routes through the Sierras were close till JULY. But every year is different.
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From: Midland, On
Fellas,
Thanks so much for all the input on routes, maps, etc. I knew that the local riders would give us some good advice. We'd like our trip to be a combination of the coast and mountain roads and there is certainly plenty of both.
One question: Is there a website or phone # that one can call to get daily info on conditions through the mountain passes? Would hate to ride to Yosemite only to find the road closed.
Cheers,
John
Thanks so much for all the input on routes, maps, etc. I knew that the local riders would give us some good advice. We'd like our trip to be a combination of the coast and mountain roads and there is certainly plenty of both.
One question: Is there a website or phone # that one can call to get daily info on conditions through the mountain passes? Would hate to ride to Yosemite only to find the road closed.
Cheers,
John